Things are looking up in Sacramento. Under a new ownership group, including one-time nemesis Shaquille O'Neal, the Kings have assembled a team that could make a run at the Western Conference playoffs. For the first time years, Sacramento Kings tickers will be a hot commodity once again.

Here's a quiz: Name the two NBA franchises that had more than one representative on the U.S. National Basketball team this past summer. One is easy. It’s the "Splash Brothers" from Golden State, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The second one would surprise everyone outside of the 916 area code. It’s none other than the Sacramento Kings. DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay were both key contributors in the FIBA tournament. They look to hit the ground running when they return to Sacramento head coach Mike Malone.

Last year the Kings quietly put together a salty lineup. Cousins ended last year by churning out a spurt of 30+ point, 10+ rebound games. Gay reeled of three 30 point performances of his own right before that. The team seemed to be finding an identity, with Cousins anchoring the middle, and Gay slashing for points. A couple young guards, Ben McLemore and rookie Nick Stauskas, bring added firepower from the perimeter.

McLemore made huge strides, after a slow start to the season. He’s the best athlete on the Kings, and shows great promise as a matchup nightmare for opposing guards. Stauskas comes to Sacramento after two stellar years at Michigan. He’s a rare combination of size, shooting and athleticism at the guard position.

Last season was one of piecing it together, and the result reflected it. A 28-win season is not a great way to inspire Kings ticket purchasers. But the future is bright. Sleep Train Arena is going to wake up some NBA opponents this year - and not just because the Kings are going to unveil a brand new floor to start the season. Fair warning to old-school Kings like Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Peja Stojakovic, a new Kings team promises to make a splash in the NBA. Before they're done, they may make people forget about the Sacramento glory days. These days Cousins, Gay, and Stauskas may start a golden era of their own.

2013-14 Sacramento Kings ticket preview

Sacramento Kings tickets simply do not last and the time to get your tickets to see this rising power in the West is now! The Sacramento Kings schedule is jam packed with their biggest rivals from across the NBA, including Pacific Division foes like the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. Sacramento Kings tickets also put you front and center to catch the biggest stars from all the top teams from across the league, including the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder and the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat, featuring superstars LeBron James and DeWayne Wade. A visit to the Sleep Train Arena means you’ll have a prime spot as the Sacramento Kings aim for a spot in the NBA Playoffs for the first time in 2006.

This year’s Sacramento Kings bring back four of their leading scorers from a year ago in DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton and Jason Thompson and made some key additions in the offseason as well. Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum were added at the NBA Draft and new general manager Pete D’Alessandro snared the likes of Greivis Vasquez, Carl Landry and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute through trades and free agency.

The Sacramento Kings can trace their lineage all the way back to 1923, as the Seagrams of Rochester, New York. The franchise remained in Rochester until 1957 and after stops in Cincinnati and Kansas City, the Kings finally came to Sacramento in 1985.

The Sacramento Kings enjoyed eight straight playoff appearances between 1998-2006 and after a significant rebuilding period, they’re ready to take a run at the hardware once again. Since 1998, they’ve called the Sleep Train Arena (originally known as the ARCO Arena) home and though the name may suggest otherwise, it’s the place to be for NBA basketball in California’s capital. The classic purple and black uniforms link today’s rising stars to the iconic Sacramento Kings of the past, from Mitch Richmond, to the legendary Oscar Robertson.

Buy Sacramento Kings tickets online to see one the league’s top franchises make their return to excellence! Don’t miss out! Get your Sacramento Kings tickets now!